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Overview

Sam is a skilled litigator with extensive experience defending clients in diverse industries before state and federal courts and administrative agencies.

Sam became a lawyer because he believes legal professionals are in a unique position to help individuals solve challenging problems. Sam combines his passion for creative problem solving with his natural competitive spirit to formulate and implement aggressive legal strategies and to achieve winning outcomes for his clients.  

As a labor and employment litigator, Sam knows the high stakes as he works to protect his clients’ business reputations. He defends major corporations and organizations in complex employment litigation and labor disputes in various industries, with particular focus on healthcare and higher education. Sam routinely litigates matters arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the National Labor Relations Act, the Dodd-Frank Act and myriad other federal and state discrimination, retaliation and whistleblower laws. In addition, Sam focuses on First Amendment litigation, constitutional civil rights cases and appellate work. Sam’s clients also turn to him as a trusted counselor on various routine employment issues and risk avoidance strategies.

Sam is a zealous advocate for his clients both inside and outside of court. He is an accomplished and effective legal writer, having secured numerous dismissals of a broad range of employment and other civil rights cases during his years of practice. When it is necessary to pursue trial or another adversarial hearing, Sam’s first- and second-chair experience is a strong asset to any winning strategy.

Sam maintains an active federal pro bono practice with a focus on representing indigent prisoners in constitutional matters. Sam is also a deputized State Public Defender who represents clients before Wisconsin circuit courts and courts of appeal.

Whatever the matter, clients trust Sam’s tireless work ethic and creative problem solving. They know their cases matter to him, and he is highly motivated to win.

Industries

Services

Recognition

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch, Labor and Employment Law - Management, Litigation - Labor and Employment, 2024
  • Wisconsin Super Lawyers, Rising Stars, 2021-2023
  • Wisconsin Pro Bono Honor Society, 2019-2020
  • Forward 48, 2022 Class

Education

  • J.D., University of Wisconsin Law School
    • Wisconsin Law Review, Managing Editor
    • Moot Court Executive Board and Moot Court Coach
  • B.A., University of Notre Dame

Admissions

  • Wisconsin
  • Illinois
  • U.S. Court of Appeals, Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois (General and Trial Bars)
  • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Wisconsin
  • U.S. District Court, Western District of Wisconsin

Professional Memberships and Certifications

  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute
  • State Bar of Wisconsin, Labor & Employment Section, Board of Directors
  • Wisconsin Bar Association
  • Eastern District Bar Association
  • Milwaukee Bar Association
  • Milwaukee Young Lawyers Association
  • Associated Builders and Contractors of Wisconsin, Human Resources Committee
2023 Pro Bono Contributor
Experience
  • Defend regional and national management-side clients across diverse industries in complex employment litigation and labor disputes, including First Amendment litigation; whistleblower claims; federal and state discrimination, harassment and retaliation cases; and appellate work.
  • Draft and negotiate employment agreements, restrictive covenants, retention agreements, separation agreements, and other documents related to trade secret protection and unfair competition.
Outside the Office

Sam enjoys fitness and outdoor recreational activities, Cubs baseball, Notre Dame and Packers football, travel, and sailing on Lake Michigan.

With an undergraduate major in Arabic Studies, Sam studied abroad in both Oman and Greece and particularly loves visiting the Middle East. He’s traveled extensively throughout Turkey, the Persian Gulf and North Africa.

Community Leadership

Sam serves on the board of trustees of Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center, an organization helping individuals with physical, mental and other challenges access various outdoor activities like kayaking, hiking and swimming. 

Sam places a high priority on pro bono work and serves as a deputized public defender for the Wisconsin State Public Defender’s Office. He also represents incarcerated individuals in civil rights cases through the Eastern District of Wisconsin Inmate Program.

  • ​Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center, Board of Trustees, Trustee and Secretary
  • Milwaukee Athletic Club, Nominating Committee, Member